Havering's Tom Daniel sets off for a run at the London Youth Games indoor cricket competition (pic: Ying Pan Wu)

Havering’s indoor cricket boys squad suffered heartache at the London Youth Games qualifying event at Harrow.

After winning their first two matches, they were beaten by Merton in their final outing and missed out on top spot and a place in the knockout stages at Lord’s on run rate.

Havering got off to a great start as they dismissed defending champions and top seeds Harrow for just 59 and kept their nerve in a tense chase to clinch victory.

Needing 13 to win from the last two overs, they lost two wickets in the final over but hit three runs off the last ball to snatch victory.

Havering’s Joe Playle said: “The boys did tremendously well to beat the defending champions in their first game.

“Jake Giddings was cool under pressure to hit the runs needed to clinch victory off the very last ball. “Harrow’s bowling was up there with the best I’ve seen at London Youth Games and for our batsmen to come out of it with a win gave them a great feeling and real confidence.”

Havering quickly reduced Lambeth to 14-4 in their next match, before the south London squad recovered to reach 71.

But the target proved well within Havering’s reach and they secured their second success in the eighth over of their reply.

Another win would have sent Havering to the home of cricket, but Merton piled up 112 and Havering came up short on 77.

Playle added: “Unfortunately with Merton scoring 112 it left us a mountain to climb which proved too much, and the net run rate over the three games was not enough to make it through.

“Some of the squad will still be eligible next year where hopefully they can overcome the disappointment they feel after a tough way to go out.”

Harrow went through instead and will face Haringey in the quarter-finals on March 2.

The other ties see Barnet face Tower Hamlets, Camden take on Southwark and Redbridge go up against Wandsworth.

The girls qualifying competition takes place this weekend, with Havering in a three-team group alongside Wandsworth and Enfield tomorrow (Saturday).

Playle said: “The girls will hope to go one better this weekend in their group and make it through to Lord’s.”

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